The After Easter

 It is the days following Easter, all the excitement of the event had passed?  

No! the disciples were excited and afraid, some were in doubt. 

📖  When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Matthew 28:17

But Jesus stayed with them, allowed them to touch Him and His scars.  

📖 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”  After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. John 20:19-20

He ate with them, taught them, loved them.. 

📖 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.  And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”  They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. Luke 24:40-45

They learned, listened, were commissioned.

📖  Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

After Easter their lives would never be the same. 

They had just been witness to the greatest event ever in the history of the world....the story HAD to be told. 

📖  Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Matthew 28:10

WE, too, are privy to the greatest, life changing information, and it must be told! Right?!

If we accept and believe what was done for us that first Easter our lives won't ever be the same either!

We need to share our story...how He has written our story.

📖 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.  Romans 6:9-10

 📖  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

📖 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17

🙏🏼Dear Savior, help us to continue with the Easter story every day, sharing the story of Your love, sacrifice, forgiveness and redemption with our world.♥️

Handle vs Tempted

I was discussing with someone recently the passage, "God won't give you more than you can handle"  

However, it actually goes like this;

📖 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

See the difference in what many of us say compared to the words used in scripture? Handle vs Tempted.  Does that mean they are completely different?

I don't think so....here are a few of my thoughts. 

Let's start with "God IS faithful" (the emphasis mine.)

"He will not let you be TEMPTED beyond what you can bear"

I don't think that what we revert to saying and actual scripture are that different. 

We are giving encouragement to ourselves and others when we say "He won't give you more than you cand handle", that our load won't overwhelm us.

But what about when the things of life are causing us to feel like we are drowning? Can 1 Corinthians 10:13 help?

It does me!

When I am tempted to let despair overwhelm me.

When I am tempted to lash out in anger in the middle of my pain and hurt.

When I am tempted to let fear take over all rational thought

When I am tempted to allow bitterness ruin relationships.

According to the verse we do not have to lose to that temptation!  Because He will not allow more than we can withstand.

PLUS; He gives us a way out so that we are not overcome by it. 

Tempted by despair

📖 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Tempted by anger

📖 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Romans 12:18-21

Tempted by fear

📖 Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:1a-2

Tempted by bitterness

📖  Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:14-15

When we are tempted to say; " I am done, I have had enough...

Jesus says

📖 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

AMEN!

G.P.S.

 I was reminded this past week that you can do most anything with the right encouragement, and guidance.

Gentle, wise friends and a GPS!

Drove to Long Island on Thursday,so 381 miles. My daughter had to have a very specialized test with a very special doctor in Manhattan. So of course we go. We have very special friends who, no matter how inconvenienced, were happy to accommodate six extra people!

The plan was to drive to their house on Long Island Thursday, and Friday morning, take the public transportation route into Manhattan and Mt Sinai hospital, have the test and take the train, bus, metro back.

Very lovingly and gently my friends suggested that, as daunting as it may seem driving into Manhattan, it might be the better way. I had mentioned that I really would like my own vehicle and my daughter was not in any condition to be running to catch trains, busses and subways. 

"You got this! You do all kinds of things!"" My friend encouraged. 

With Google maps destination loaded with a parking garage affiliated with Mt. Sinai six of us headed into the city. (My oldest took this perfect opportunity to tag along and show her children some of "The Big Apple"!  A great field trip!)

I didn't miss any turns or exits. Made it right to the entrance to the garage. Now, there was tons of city traffic, but I paid attention and I listened and did everything the voice told me. 

Then with technology and a couple of apps; sent the "tourists" off in a taxi to the American Museum of Natural History and we Ubered it to the front door of the part of Mt Sinai where we were supposed to be. 

Other kind staff directed us to exactly where we needed to be. 

And what a blessing to have my own vehicle with blankets and pillows needed, since my daughter ended up having an additional procedure and was in no condition to walk let alone ride a train. 

We did the same in reverse and ended up back with our truly hospitable friends and a lovely dinner with them. 

I could have let fear and doubt make the decision for me and take the train any way. What a pickle we would have been in!

If we listen to God's voice, follow His direction and listen and be encouraged by those God puts in our life....we are going to end up right where God intends for us to be.

I am not saying it is without stresses or danger, and it may not be simple or easy....but we follow, because on the end it is the best.

G.P.S. God's Perfect System

We know 

where to look

📖 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path. Psalm 119:108

the direction

📖 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:5-7

Who to follow 

📖 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me Luke 9:23

the Voice

📖  When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.  John 10:4

🙏🏼 Lord God, I pray today we look to You for all our direction. I pray we follow the path You have for us with faith and trust. Thank you for guiding us with love and compassion. Amen♥️

Every Day is a "Birthday"

🎉🎁💞

I was planning on posting yesterday,  ON my birthday, but it was so full of blessings I ran out of time!

I got so many birthday wishes; friends, family, friends of friends and friends of my kids!  The blessing of a growing circle!

Other than that, was it different than any other day? 

A bit....I got some gifts....but honestly,  I felt like I had gotten gifts recently,  Family was here, but I have enjoyed family all around recently.  

It made me think...not because my birthday wasn't a special day (it WAS thank you ALL!!)...but that MOST of my days are filled with blessings and are special! The people around me make me feel special on a regular basis!.

And even if we are going through "stuff".  Some of it is how it is now, a new normal so to speak, some of it new challenges and hurdles to get over. 

But over all of it God’s plan is still in place, He still has work for me to do, He still loves me and there are blessings everywhere I look! 

📖 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, 

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:3-12

📖 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him. Jeremiah 17:7

The song that keeps going through my head...makes me smile every time! The video is fun but the words ring true!

🎵 I'm So Blessed Cain

To God I am special...every day! And that makes every day a special day just like a birthday!

🙏🏼My Great God, remind me that I'm so blessed, I've got this heartbeat in my chest, I am a child of God and no matter what is going on I AM BLESSED! Thank you for every moment, every blessing ♥️

“‘“The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.”’ Numbers 6:24-26

Moment by Moment

I was thinking about my grandkids (which happens frequently) and how fast time moves. It doesn't seem that long ago my three were that age. 

I thought of the "wisdom" I could impart; "enjoy what you have now", "Don't miss now." "Don't miss what you won't get back", etcetera. I sound like I am old! Which to my grands, I suppose I am! 

These years are so busy, and so much happening, so many goals to be attained, just trying to get from stage to stage with everyone intact. 

But isn't that all of us...we work through today or this week because we have this or that next week or month, or even next year. 

We are so busy getting our lists done, working toward that next stage.

📖  Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”  James 4:13-15

But we are in this moment for a purpose....even if it is a difficult or trying moment. 

 📖 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 13:33

God has stuff for us to do, if we take the time to look at what we are in the middle of...not at our agenda, but His. 

📖  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10

The difficult and even traumatic moments can have lessons for us. Even if just to draw closer to God and rely on Him.

📖 Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

We, of course, do what we do each day because of our belief we will be here tomorrow and next week and have things that have to be done. But we are not guaranteed tomorrow. 

📖  Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14

I am not saying do not work towards goals and plan. But we must try to notice today, this moment in front of us. 

Recognize that God has allowed us to be in this moment for a reason.

📖 Many are the plans in a person’s heart,

    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

A way to do that is to be grateful and thank God for even the little things in the day, in the moment.

Waking up in a warm home (yes warm, spring seems to have delayed here!) 

Waking up!  Amen!?  That means God has a purpose for you today!

For what is around you. I know for me God has blessed me with a wonderful home, full of wonderful stuff. 

Instead of seeing the work that needs doing (cleaning, laundry, cleaning, projects, cleaning, etc) all things that need to be done, but if I just focus on that I can get overwhelmed and then miss the moment. 

📖 This is the day the Lord has made;

We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

We have been so blessed with everything around us....I don't want to miss that. 

Also, how can we use all that God has blessed us with.

I have a mess in my playroom...but I have an abundance of toys and have been blessed with many children in my home over the years to play with them. And now grand children.  

IF God shows you a way to use what you have to bless others that is wonderful.

But I don't think we can see or hear what God wants us to do with the blessings we have in this stage if we are focused on the next stage. 

📖 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,  since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24

We move through our moments knowing, trusting, that God has our future moments.

📖 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

 We can focus on what is in front of us, leaving the rest to Him. 

📖 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

🙏🏼Lord, help me to see the moments in front of me right now, leave my concerns for future moments to You. As I do the tasks ahead of me today, open my eyes to the teachable moments and the blessings that I can pass on to others. Help me to live each moment for Your glory.  Amen♥️

While working on this, there was a song that kept coming to mind.

🎵 Keep Me In thr Moment Jeremy Camp

A Fish Tale

As I was cleaning my livingroom and dusting the "stuff"...the memories, I thought about how a person lives on when we talk about them, share stories, even have reminders. My living room has many things that belonged to my grandparents. Fishing poles and reels.

 A great old fishing creel that is hanging, still stuffed with all my grandmother's fishing parifinalia. There is a writing I did in a frame that is about one of our fishing excursions; "A Grand Memory". 

 I thought about how my children and now grandchildren, know who we are talking about when they hear the stories. It is important to tell them. If we don't talk and reminisce about those who have passed...they fade from existance, maybe just to names in a registry or on a memorial. 

The more we talk about them and share their stories the more they are a part of us and our lives. 

And then I thought, it is the same with the most important relationship in our lives. If we have accepted Christ we are a part of His family. 

📖  Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— John 1:12

📖 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, Ephesians 2:19

But if we don't talk about Him, share stories of what He has done for us, talk about our Heavenly Father’s extravagant love for us, How will people know?

If we don't share about what He does for us every single day...we don't talk about His goodness and grace...He begins to fade...from our life. 

Let me clarify

HE DOES NOT CHANGE!

But our thoughts about His importance in our lives fade....as well as the influence we are allowing weakens.

📖  Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth. Dueteronomy 11:18-21

Hopefully, I am telling as many stories about my childhood fishing adventures with my grandparents as I am about my amazing journey with the Fisher of Men.

📖 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,  keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16

📖 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?  And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Roman's 10:14-15

🙏🏼 Oh Lord, how grateful I am for all You have done for me. Please, keep me bold enough to tell Your stories, to tell the world of the wonderful things You have done for me!♥️

Stiff Neck

 The Scripture that keeps going through my mind today...

📖 “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Acts 7:51

I am literally stiff necked today...following a surgery on my c-spine yesterday.

But it got me thinking. With a stiff neck you literally lose range of motion to the sides...up and down. I will heal and my range of motion will be better than ever.

But what about our spiritual stiff necks; they cause us to stop looking to the right or left. We don't look up or down. We are inflexible in our opinions or thought processes. We dont see the people in our peripheral who are in need or hurting. We don't look up for wisdom and guidance. We don't look down in humility.   

We don't listen to God, choose not to follow His direction or listen to those whom God sends...

📖 But they did not listen to me or pay attention. They were stiff-necked and did more evil than their ancestors.’ “When you tell them all this, they will not listen to you; when you call to them, they will not answer. Jeremiah 7:26-27

I think it is important we do a self examination and see if we are indeed becoming stiff-necked and are in need of "surgical intervention"

📖 Necks get even stiffer. And eventually it lead to total destruction. Whoever remains stiff necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy. Proverbs 29:1

 Without intervention we will be destroyed!   What can we do?

First: Can we hang our head down in sorrow for our sins against God, knowing our own lack of goodness. In humility.

Next: Can we look up toward the heavens and cry out to our God for His forgiveness and mercy.

Third: Can we turn to the left and see the poor and hungry. 

Forth: Can we turn to the right and see the lost and broken. 

And if we can, we must love them in Jesus name. We must DO as Jesus instructed us to do. 

📖 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.  I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:10-15

If you can't seem to move in any or all of those directions, then you must remove whatever is causing the impingement.  Pride, selfishness, anger, bitterness, apathy...

📖  “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:1-2

📖 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:30-32

Your stiff neck can heal and you can be better than before!  The key is to keep it limber and listen to the Lord and what He has for you.

🙏🏼Lord, help us keep us from becoming stiff necked. Help us to constantly keep moving in ways that serve You and Glorify You.♥️